essay

Giemza L. The Venice of Bieńkowska, the Venice of Bolewski – on two essays about the city

The article analyses two essays about Venice: Ewa Bieńkowska’s “What do the stones of Venice say” and Jacek Bolewski’s “What after Venice… Following up artists and saints”. The subjects of both essays are, above all, the art and architecture of the city, which leads to comparisons. E. Bieńkowska focuses on painting, whereas J. Bolewski refers to literary texts (I. Brodski, Casanova, H. James). However, both essays are a special “lesson in looking.” In both of them, there are clear references to essays of Herbert, even in the way the “essayistic speaking voice” is formulated in the opposition to the tourist.

Giemza L. Meetings in “Diaries” by Jan Józef Szczepański

The article discusses meetings described in “Diaries” by Jan Józef Szczepański. The main thesis is that Szczepański regards meetings as something much more important than a causal form of contact. What can be inferred from individual descriptions is a methodology of a meeting. They lead not only to the creation of a better, more humane world, but also to a more profound self-knowledge. Szczepański believes that being with the Second Person and for the Second Person is a fundamental form of existence in the world. Szczepański’s views, stated explicitly or implicitly, are close to the philosophy of a meeting and to the thought of Karol Wojtyła.

Fusco A. “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District”: a tale waved on a terrific natural scenary

The young Katerina Lvovna lives in a house with an old husband she does not love and her father-in-law, missing the freedom of her childhood. The deathly oppressive atmosphere of her family will change when she meets Sergei. Her passion for the young man, who had seduced many women in the town, will be so strong that Katerina will do anything to keep hold of him. The two lovers will commit monstrous crimes together and will be convicted and sent to Siberia. The tale is a dramatic portrait of a dragging force, which moves in an intense atmosphere of heat and coldness flowing in the deepest darkness.

Ли Т.Г. Жанровая редукция в современной прозе (на примере творчества Л. Дэвис)

В статье рассматривается такое явление в современных минижанрах, в частности рассказах, как редукция. Представляется современное понимание жанра рассказа, а также его эволюцию с историко-литературной точки зрения. Проводится анализ рассказов Л. Дэвис в сопоставлении с другими жанрами малой прозы.